General
Mak Urged to Strengthen GMD for Effective Policy Implementation
Participants at a highly interactive two-day monitoring and evaluation workshop held on 29th and 30th April 2021 have urged Makerere University to prioritise the recruitment of more technical staff under the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate (GMD) as a guarantee of effective implementation of the Policy and Regulations Against Sexual Harassment (PRASH) and the Gender Equality Policy.
The evaluation session revealed that the staffing levels at GMD were very low in comparison to the magnitude of work, which entails the implementation of PRASH, the Gender Equality Policy as well as other critical roles and responsibilities. The participants learnt that although the GMD staff structure provided for a number of technical staff, many of these positions remained vacant. It was therefore imperative for the University leadership to evaluate the staffing levels versus the expectations from each Office, pay attention to the workload for each staff, and provide financial resources and equipment/tools required for each office to achieve its targets.
The participants also emphasized the need to institutionalise monitoring and evaluation systems at Makerere University. “An office should be established and empowered with staff to perform the task of monitoring and evaluation of University systems, processes, policies, operations, programs and projects. This is vital if we are to remain on track. With monitoring and evaluation, one is able to detect early what is not working and reasons for such a scenario and identify whether the required finances, staff, equipment and other variables were provided. This would hold leaders and staff accountable.”
According to the participants, an independent and professional monitoring and evaluation function/office would ensure value for money and effective utilization of resources, guide management and staff to quickly establish what is not working and above all, improve the performance of institutional projects, policies and operations.
The recommendations were informed by free flow of ideas premised on presentations on PRASH by Dr. Euzobia Mugisha Baine, Director GMD, Associate Prof. Noeline Nakasujja, Head of the Department of Psychiatry-Mak College of Health Sciences (CHS), Dr. Gertrude Sebunya Muwanga an expert in Monitoring and Evaluation, and Prof. Moses Kamya-Mak CHS among other facilitators.
Focusing on the program goal that seeks to strengthen the institutional capacity of Makerere University to implement and evaluate the policy strategies on sexual misconduct and harassment, the monitoring and evaluation workshop brought on board staff and students to critique PRASH. The event was courtesy of a grant received by the Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, CHS in collaboration with the University of Washington at St. Louis from the National Institute of Health Fogarty International Centre.
In line with the best practices that necessitate a thorough understanding of the subject under critique, the organisers provided the essential information materials, experts, programmes and delivery styles to enable each participant gain a deeper understanding of PRASH. Each participant also received a hard copy of PRASH for reference purposes.
To set the pace, Dr. Mugisha Baine provided an overview of PRASH, taking care to define what constitutes sexual harassment. According to the policy, sexual harassment means unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favours or unwanted physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct of a sexual nature. The policy is accessible on the Policies Website at this link: https://policies.mak.ac.ug/sites/default/files/policies/Policy-and-Regulations-Against-Sexual-Harassment-2018.pdf
Empowered with the necessary background information, participants pointed out the progress so far, implementation challenges and gaps. Some of the observations and measures include:
- Mak’s commitment to zero tolerance to sexual harassment lives on through the steps undertaken in the implementation of PRASH. Participants noted that the PRASH policy was reviewed, stakeholders were consulted during the review process, and the Vice Chancellor appointed the standing Roster of 100 that constitutes a pool of staff who would be called upon to investigate sexual harassment cases. The members of staff constituting the Vice Chancellor’s Roster of 100 were inducted, trained and equipped with knowledge and skills in preparation for the task ahead.
- The GMD has conducted a number of sensitization engagements with staff and students through training workshops, dialogues, talks during the freshers’ orientation, and coordination of competitions/campaigns among students aimed at averting sexual harassment and sexual abuse.
- The policy is easily accessible on the Mak Policies Website. Hard copies of the same are in print in a light and friendly booklet format freely distributed to members of staff and students.
- GMD has deliberately engaged Mak Management and other key university units such as the School of Law, Directorate of Legal Affairs, School of Women and Gender Studies, Mak Public Relations Office, Mak Students’ leadership in PRASH awareness activities/programmes/campaigns.
- GMD has reached out to several partners and stakeholders such as the; UN Women, Embassy of Sweden, The Spotlight Initiative among others, to eliminate violence against women and girls.
- GMD in partnership with the Public Relations Office has engaged the media in the coverage of PRASH awareness and sensitization drives/programmes.
- Reported cases of sexual harassment have been investigated, and the culprits suspended and/or dismissed in line with PRASH and other laws governing the country.
- Messages have been shared encouraging students and staff to take be bold and report sexual harassment cases.
- Sensitization and training workshops have emphasized the PRASH position on the need for leaders to report and act on all complaints of sexual harassment. ‘According to PRASH, any person in authority who receives a complaint of sexual harassment and fails to take any pro-active step to progress the matter in a timely and appropriate manner commits an offence and shall be subject to disciplinary action.”
During the workshop, the participants noted some challenges in the implementation of PRASH. These include; limited funding to the GMD, low staffing levels at the Directorate and lack of representation of GMD staff at the respective Colleges, which affect the implementation of PRASH and the Gender Equality Policy. Due to limited funding, the Directorate is not able to sustain sensitization activities. Some of the participants revealed that a number of victims still fear to report sexual harassment cases.
Providing the way forward, participants underscored the need to recruit more staff that are technical and provide the required financial resources for GMD to effectively undertake its mandate. They highlighted the need to intensify sensitization to staff and students as well as implored GMD to come up with strategies for the Vice Chancellor’s Roster of 100 to help coordinate activities and programmes at the College level.
On 30th April 2021, the facilitators equipped participants with knowledge on monitoring and evaluation (M&E) including understanding of key terms such as M& E system, plan and framework. At the end of this session, the participants stressed the need to institutionalise monitoring and evaluation systems at Makerere University.
Wrapping up the plenary session, Prof. Moses Kamya reiterated the need for all members of staff to undergo training in gender issues and sexual harassment.
Closing the workshop, Associate Prof. Nakasujja applauded the participants for dedicating time to participate in the training, evaluating the PRASH and providing valuable input that will strengthen the institutional capacity of Makerere University to implement and evaluate the same. In the same spirit, she commended the project staff for their commitment towards the successful delivery of the training workshop.
Article by: Mak Public Relations Office
Through the Food for Peace initiative, the Rotary Club of Makerere Passport is stepping in to provide meals to over 200 students who struggle to afford meals, especially during the examination period.
According to Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University and President of the Rotary Club of Makerere Passport, hundreds of students drop out of Makerere University every year due to financial constraints. The reality for those who remain is sometimes tougher, for they struggle to survive.
While addressing the media at a press conference held at Makerere University on November 11, 2026, Prof. Nawangwe shared that many of these students skip meals, a situation that is more frequent during examination periods, when the demands on the brain are much greater.
The University is aware of these reports and in his capacity as Vice Chancellor and President of the Rotary Club of Makerere Passport, Prof. Nawangwe lobbied the club to take action.
In preparation for intervention, a comprehensive needs assessment was conducted, inviting students to come forward and share their needs. About 200 students responded to the survey, indicating a pressing need for food support during examinations.
The findings birthed a legacy project code-named “Food for Peace”, targeting, for a start, 206 students at Makerere University, regardless of their sponsorship status, as long as they participated in the survey. The Makerere Rotary Peace Centre spearheaded the survey that helped identify the first cohort of those who will benefit from the initiative and guided that for a dignified experience, the beneficially names will remain in records and not disclosed.
Prof. Nawangwe emphasised that the core mission of this cause is to move a step up with efforts to ensure that economically challenged students at Makerere University do not go a day without a meal. Service providers in halls of residence will serve these students their food following a meal card.
Seeding the Project
The Guest of Honour, Mr. Emmanuel Katongole, the Rotary International Director (RID) for Zone 22, while launching the initiative shared his personal experience of facing challenges that almost barred him from attaining an education. He believes education is an equaliser in life and that everyone should have a chance to access it. He reminded those in the room that they were all there together because of education.
RID Katongole highlighted the importance of supporting people, both as individuals and as a community. He expressed pride in being part of the launch of this project because it is going to create many more “Emmanuel Katongoles” through the provision of a meal.
He therefore personally committed to contribute UGX 5 million annually, starting this year, for as long as he lives or until the project ends. He also pledged to remain part of the initiative.
92nd Guild Commends “Service above Self”
From a student perspective, H.E. Kadondi Gracious, the 92nd Makerere University Guild President, delivered a vote of thanks for the initiative. She noted that students had petitioned Parliament to intervene in the matter and were happy that solutions had started coming from within.
She framed this move not just as charity, but as a way of restoring hope to Makerereans who were unsure of how they were going to maneuver through the examination period without lunch. In appreciation, the Guild President commended Rotary for showing what it actually means to offer service above self.
Sustainability of the “Food for Peace” Project
Although the immediate intervention is directed towards fewer than 300 students who expressed a need for assistance, the vision is bigger and looking beyond the current examination season.
As the Rotary Passport Club President noted, “if this is going to be sustainable, it means we are going to look out for partners to create a fund to sustain this initiative.”
The Club Secretary, Associate Professor Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala, explained that as a legacy project, it is not a one-off. She committed the services of the Passport Club to supporting this legacy project.
Grounding the sustainability move, RID Emmanuel Katongole set the pace by pledging annual cash and in-kind support towards providing consistent assistance to students throughout subsequent academic periods, thereby enhancing student welfare over the long term.
Dr Winfred Kabumbuli, the Makerere University Dean of Students, showed strong support for the initiative since it falls within the core mission of student welfare. She appreciated the collaboration with Makerere University Passport Club, and pledged to rally internal support.
Call to Action and Contributions
The Club President made an appeal to alumni, corporate bodies, development partners, individuals and institutions of goodwill to join this noble cause, intended to ensure that students not only remain at the University but also attain their full potential on a full stomach.
The immediate fundraising goal is UGX 10 million shillings, which is required to implement the initial phase of food support. Excess amounts collected will facilitate an increase in the number of beneficiaries and after the examination period, add to the kitty for subsequent semesters.
Support and assistance can come in the form of financial contributions, food supplies, corporate partnerships, logistical support, and long-term partnerships.
To facilitate support, the club, through its Charter Treasurer (C.T.), Professor Winston Tumps Ireeta, shared the banking details as follows
Bank: NCBA Uganda Limited.
Account Name: Rotary Club of Makerere Passport
Uganda Shillings (UGX) Account Number: 228129200017
United States Dollar (USD) Account Number: 228129200027
SWIFT Code: CBAFUGKA
Bank Code: 36
Students were left with one final promise from the Chief Guest, “you are no longer alone. You have a partner in the Rotary Club of Makerere Passport.”
Prof. Edward Bbaale, Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration at Makerere University, on November 10 2026 welcomed a delegation from the International Water Association (IWA), led by Mr. Keith Robertson, the Learning and Events Director at International Water Association (IWA). Mr. Robertson, in his remarks, highlighted their visit to Makerere University as a fact-finding mission regarding the potential establishment of a new regional IWA office in Africa to support the continent in solving challenges relating to water.
The International Water Association is a leading global nonprofit organisation and knowledge hub for the water and sanitation sector. Connecting more than 10,000 individual members and 500 corporate entities across 140 plus countries, the association bridges the gap between scientific research and practical engineering to solve global water crises, improve sanitation, and secure clean water systems. Currently, IWA is evaluating potential host cities in Africa; Makerere University in Kampala is the first they have visited out of their three countries and venues earmarked.
This meeting held at Makerere Main Administrative Building, was attended by university leadership, faculty from College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), and representatives from the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC). Discussions explored possibilities of the yet to be established office bridging the gap between academic research and practical application in the water sector not only in Uganda but also on the continent.
On behalf of University Management, Prof. Edward Bbaale underscored this engagement that focused on possible Water and Sanitation advancement partnership as one that aligns well with the strategic direction of the University.
Projected Impact of a Kampala-Based IWA Office
Dr Philip Nyenje, Head of Department, Civil and Environmental Engineering (DCEE), expressed optimism about the collaboration, saying, “this is a very good opportunity for us to grow our interest in the sector of water and sanitation.”
In addition, Dr Seith Mugume, a Senior Lecturer at DCEE, noted that the regional office would unlock research and innovation opportunities in the real world for our students and also provide incentives for them to pursue projects within local research and innovation angles.
Eng. Zainab Mpakiraba, Acting Senior Manager at NWSC framed Kampala as a very unique venue for the centre and highlighted Makerere as one of the core academic partners for the regional Eastern and Southern Africa hub of the Global Sanitation Graduate School. Eng. Mpakiraba further endorsed Makerere, saying that, as a top-notch university in Uganda and in the region, when it leads on any aspect, it is able to pull most of the other universities.
Makerere’s Strategic Initiatives and Activities so far in the Area of Water
Dr Nyenje noted that his Department has a very strong base in water and sanitation, covering disciplines like water resources, environmental, structural, and highway engineering. Dr. Mugume added that they are conducting research on “modeling of water resource systems, hydrological and hydraulic modeling,” “water quality management,” and “fecal sludge management, sanitation in low-income and peri-urban areas.”
The two also mentioned that the department has introduced a “master’s in sanitation, and also a postgraduate program… a diploma in sanitation” to address growing interest in the sector.
All these strategies have been made possible through good will and funding from the Government of Uganda, strategic partnerships, and International Collaborations that have positioned Makerere as a key player in the region.
Concluding the session, Prof. Edward Bbaale reaffirmed Makerere’s ability to run this Office when established as the University has human resources in multidisciplinary research, global credibility and working relationships with many organisations and institutions on the continent and far.
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